GILLEN, Sister M. Patrick "Hello there pretty face," was a frequent greeting that will now be missed since Sister Patrick left us to see for herself the Face of God.
Sister M. Patrick Gillen (Lola Jean) entered life March 6, 1934 and entered eternal life Aug. 26, 2012.
The daughter of Vincent and Julia Gillen was born in Steubenville, OH and came to Sylvania, OH to become a Sister of St. Francis in September, 1951, professing her first vows in August, 1954 and her final vows in August 1957.
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Her 58 years of service to God's people were characterized by a spirit of faith-filled selflessness that left you in awe of her ability to put others first as she ministered to school children in Catholic schools in Port Clinton, Toledo and Steubenville, OH; Garden City, Michigan and Ilchester, MD.
Children and teachers felt her love and concern when she led schools in Rossford and Steubenville, OH and New Orleans, LA as Principal.
Sister Patrick brought and shared her special gift of faith-filled selflessness to health care when she became an administrator of Rosary Care Center in Sylvania and when she served as a Chaplain at Trinity Health System in Steubenville until June of this year.
Sister Patrick always felt that the Sisters were well prepared to do the work of the Church and she was no exception. She earned a B.A. from Mary Manse College in Toledo, OH, and a M.S. Ed. from the University of Dayton in Dayton, OH. She studied gerontology at St. Mary-of-the- Woods College in Indiana, completed a Nursing Home Internship at Providence Care Center in Sandusky, OH; and completed Clinical Pastoral Training at the Samaritan Counseling Center in Toledo, OH.
Her final ministry as a staff Chaplain at Trinity Health System, part of the Sylvania Franciscan Health System, occupied her time and talent for the last 13 years. It was a ministry she loved and where she was loved by many of the staff and patients as was evident from the many good wishes and prayers she received during her brief illness.
Sister Patrick was sistered during the dying process at Rosary Care Center by her dear friends Sisters Diana Lynn, Patrice, Winifred and Maurice. Sister Diana said Sister Patrick "was a rare and precious gift in the lives of countless people, always putting others first. Touching her life through one encounter often changed yours. Being for others was as natural for her as breathing."
Sister Patrick will be dearly missed by her Sisters in Community as well as by her family and many friends and co-workers in Steubenville. She is survived by her brothers, Leo (Rose) and Stacey (Martha) and her sister, Kathryn (Edward) Kobily.
There will be a Welcoming for Sister Patrick in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis in Sylvania from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. Her funeral will be at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, preceded by visitation throughout the day. Interment will be in Porta Coeli Cemetery on the campus of the Sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, OH. Arrangements by Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, Toledo, OH.
